What is the typical vocabulary for a 2 1/2 yr old?

Question

My 2 1/2 year old daughter says alot of words but people lately have been telling me that she should say complete sentences and that she should go to speach therapy... whats the norm for 2 1/2 yr olds?

Answer 1

All children are different and a lot of books say 'your child should .......' and people too, so you're made to think that your child is under developed. Don't worry too much about this, ask your gp (not the clinic) if you really are concerned.

Answer 2

There is no norm for a 2-1/2 year old. They all learn to speak at different ages. My daughter spoke complete sentences at 1-1/2, one of my sons did not speak complete sentences until almost 4 years old. My other two sons started around 2-1/2. Don't let people pressure you. Your daughter is fine and will speak when she's ready. Good Luck

Answer 3

She should say short like 2-3 word sentences but if she says words I would not freak out. Many 21/2 yr olds don't say complete sentences! I'd ask the doc. If she has problems with word them it may be speech but if she says words she will get the sentence thing down. When she startes she won't shut up.

Answer 4

I also have a 2 and a half year old child, a boy he says a bunch of stuff he speaks in broken up sentences sometimes but every child developed differently i would give your daughter another 6 months before you start to worry. I really don't think you have anything to worry about until she is a bit older. If she is sent to speech therapy i believe this will confuse her because she is to young. She just has to learn how to put those words together believe me i worried about my son and he just started recently putting sentences together its all about time and patience i wish you the best of luck to you both

Answer 5

According to the Hawaii Early Learning Profile (an assessment tool used by special education professionals), children at 2 1/2 years should have a vocabulary of 200+ words, including nouns, verbs and size words, and be able to say 2-3 word sentences. They should also be intelligible 50% of the time (even to strangers), be able to recite a few nursery rhymes (at least two lines of it), and participate in telling a familiar story (by filling in words). They should also be able to answer short questions, use past-tense and plurals (although it can be incorrect, ie: "goed", "feets") and give their full name. Hope this is a helpful guideline.

Answer 6

I know it's hard, but try not to worry, she'll be fine. My girl is 2 in 2 weeks and speaks in full sentences, but she was a little slow in motor development. Every child is different. If she's saying lots of words she sounds like a normal 2.5 year old. If she wasn't saying anything, then it might be cause for concern. I've found the child's personality will play a big role in how they speak - extroverted kids speak early whereas often the introveted kids speak later, and not becuase they're stupid but becuase they just have less to say.

Answer 7

My daughter has speech delays and she is going to speech therapy. The therapist told me at 2 1/2 they should be speaking 3 word sentences. They are not expected to include words such as I, are, we, you... in the sentence.
Don't ever listen to other people though!!! If you feel there is a problem then talk to your doctor. But truthfully, the doctor would be able to tell at her checkups if she needed speech help and most doctors will tell you.
Good luck!!!

Answer 8

i read somewhere in one of my parenting magazines a 2 year should have a vocabulary of 200-300 words. i am mother of a 2 and a half year old myself she has quite an extensive vocabulary and has been asking questions and speaking senteces for about a year maybe a little less but that is not typical. as long as your child can effectively communicate to you what it it she wants she does not have any problems if she still mumb;es like a baby and says very few words you should ask a doctor

Answer 9

Does she say 5 word sentences ? Because she should be by 34 months. Shes only 30 months . But each child talks at their own pace- ask your pediatrition at your next visit. I know 3 year olds that don,t talk as clearly as their peers and I also know that by age 5 they will all be about the same. My suggestion is keep working with her just in general conversation. Correct her casually and make it fun and reward her with big hugs for jobs well done.

Answer 10

She should probably be speaking in about 3 word sentences or more. YOu can always have her screened for speech or language delays to see if she needs therapy. Reading to your child every day will also help her speech and language development. Good luck.